Rock veterans Oasis were receiving the award celebrating their contribution to the music industry at the 33rd O2 Silver Clef Lunch at London's Park Lane Hilton.

Gallagher also set the record straight over the controversy surrounding his questioning of hip hop act Jay-Z as the headline act for this year's Glastonbury Festival. He said: "For the record, I like Jay-Z so that's my opinion, everybody."

Gallagher was asked about knives taking over the streets and replied: "It's horrible. It's horrible."

He said the problem was not only in London as he had visited Liverpool recently and seen knife-related incidents on the news.

He continued: "The scumbags are taking over the streets you know. I don't even know what Cameron and Gordon Brown are going to do about it."

Recently reformed new-wave outfit Squeeze received the Icon Award.

The Classical Award was given to to Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti.

The Ambassadors of Rock Award went to Canadian icon Bryan Adams, famous for worldwide smash hits such as Summer Of 69, Run to You and (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.

Award-winning comedy actor, writer and director Simon Pegg presented Glasgow band The Fratellis with the Best British Band award.